Hi all,
As I have just been forced to up grdae my computer because my previous one died, I now have the ability to buy the latest version of either Fritz or Chessmaster.
Whislt I guess most people have theit particular favourite, there really seems to be no difference to me on the surface. Hence my indecision.
So, my question here is what is the best feature of the program you use: this could include layout of the interface, nice neat things you do not know about until you try etc.
Please reply here with any comments you would like to make.
-trekkie
ps: Please no comments sending me to the Fritz 8 thread i have already read it.
I have CM9K It is pretty good, however now that I have talked to phlabibit about it (who also has CM9K) I now would like to get fritz. I say get them both and save the agony!😕
The chessmaster has some problems like all programs. For instance I had trouble with switching back and forth from 3D to 2D. When I close out data bases it shuts down my yahoo messenger and starts my secure clean. Go figgure.
Mike
Originally posted by rapalla7Though it is slightly more expensive i have decided to buy a copy of Fritz. When I can afford it i might buy a copy of CM9K
I have CM9K It is pretty good, however now that I have talked to phlabibit about it (who also has CM9K) I now would like to get fritz. I say get them both and save the agony!😕
The chessmaster has some problems like all programs. For instance I had trouble with switching back and forth from 3D to 2D. When I close out data bases it shuts down my yahoo messenger and starts my secure clean. Go figgure.
Mike
I have both Fritz7 and Chessmaster 7000. I prefer to play against Chessmaster 7000. I use Fritz to analyze. I picked both up cheap when Chessmaster 9000 and Fritz 8 were released. I really didn't see anything in the newer programs which made it worth paying the extra money to get the newer versions.
CM9K definitely has the best interface but for an all round chess software I think Fritz 8 has my vote, although the interface is a bit confusing, once you master it Fritz is just a gem of a piece of software, its analytical functions are superb. There is a couple of holes in CM9K's game that lets it down, but this was also said about Fritz which I have yet to find.
Its whatever tickles your fancy though, CM9K is easier to use and easier on the eye, but I prefer Fritz
-Robbo
Originally posted by trekkieMany top GMs prefer Fritz. the Hiarcs engine has a good learning function and plays good positional chess, which is otherwise a weakness in almost all computer software
Hi all,
As I have just been forced to up grdae my computer because my previous one died, I now have the ability to buy the latest version of either Fritz or Chessmaster.
Whislt I guess most people have theit particular favourite, there ...[text shortened]... comments sending me to the Fritz 8 thread i have already read it.
Don't know about Fritz, but what CM9000 has going for it is the excellent "Classroom section": teaching of various aspects of chess from novice to master, including anotated (spoken out) games by Josh Watzkin, an endgame course by him, and a section on the psychology of chess also featuring games anotated by Waizkin. In addition to that, it includes a rating test which helps you identify the areas of your game where you need improvement.
There's also a great feature callled "Match the Masters", where you "play" as a partner of a master in a game played sometime in a past tournament, against another master. You can then anticipate the next moves on most moves throughout the game, and after the game you're taken through some of the positions and asked critical questions to see that you understood the positions, and didn´t get things right by pure luck. After this, you receive an estimation of the level of chess you displayd in the match.
Worth the cost for the teaching features alone. I would recommend it to anyone.
-Jarno
Originally posted by PyrrhoI have CM9000 too, and agree fully that its Classroom feature alone is worth the money! I have gone through every section in it at least thrice, and each time learnt something new...
Don't know about Fritz, but what CM9000 has going for it is the excellent "Classroom section": teaching of various aspects of chess from novice to master, including anotated (spoken out) games by Josh Watzkin, an endgame course by him, and a section on the psychology of chess also featuring games anotated by Waizkin. In addition to that, it includes a rati ...[text shortened]... .
Worth the cost for the teaching features alone. I would recommend it to anyone.
-Jarno
Playing wise, I prefer to play humans rather than computers 😉
I have been using Fritz and I think it lacks more teaching (coaching features). For example the endgame training is very poor and the "coach is watching" feature is really bad.
The main difference between Fritz and Chessmaster is that Frits is better for analysing games (especially the full analysing mode you can use to get Fritz to analyse your game with notations but it takes up a lot of time if you want to get good analysing) but Chessmaster is much better for training and teaching.
About the playing strength I think Fritz is stronger but I never play computers, it´s boring so I only play other players. In addition it shouldn´t matter for amateurs which program is stronger in playing as they both will mess us amateurs up if set to the strongest level.
So my final words are: if you want a good analysing program then buy Fritz but if you want a good coaching program then Chessmaster is the thing.
🙂